Mahipal Sharma, 50, came all the way standing in a train from a Sonepat village in Haryana to watch his son compete in a swimming event at the Commonwealth Games.

Mahipal Sharma, 50, came all the way standing in a train from a Sonepat village in Haryana to watch his son compete in a swimming event at the Commonwealth Games.

But the old man could not get the ticket even after running around for more than five hours. Dejected, he returned to his village. His son Naveen Sharma, 20, competed in the para swimming competition on Friday.

The ticket counter outside the Talkatora stadium was not functioning, due to power cut since 6 am.

"It is a proud moment for me as my son was participating. I came here at 12 noon and have been waiting here for the past five hours. The ticket counter is not working. I am new to Delhi and have no clue where to go. I was told by my son that I will get it here," said Sharma.

"My son was struck by polio at a very young age. He did not give up and learnt swimming in a nahar (canal) in the village. I used to take him to Bhiwani for training, he even won a gold medal in Bangalore last year," said Sharma.

When Sharma called his son who was inside the venue for help, he said the organisers have not made any arrangements for the family members of athletes to watch the event.

His son spoke to this correspondent on phone and asked to arrange tickets for his father as he was helpless.

The volunteer at the ticket counter said, "There has been a power failure at this centre since 6 am. We are trying to rectify it. People can buy tickets from the Organising Committee headquarters on Jai Singh Road or can go to Dilli Haat."

Major Mahesh Chand Joshi had come all the way from Faridabad to watch his favourite player Vijender Singh’s match at the Talkatora Boxing stadium was also dissapointed. He said, "What is the use of the counter when they cannot dispense tickets? If there is no electricity, then why can’t they issue tickets manually."